15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Relations

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Public Relations is a diverse field, with multiple career opportunities and different academic pathways leading to these careers. (We’ve covered some of the related careers through our Marketing degrees rankings list, which kicked off this series of articles.) Here are just a few of the career options, as indicated by the BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) in their Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) Web pages. The percentage amount listed with each career is the BLS’ job growth expectations in the period 2012-2022:

Advertising Sales Agents: -1%
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers: 12%
Editors: -2%
Market Research Analysts: 32%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: 33%
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers: 13%
Public Relations Specialists: 12%
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives: 9%
Writers and Authors: 3%

While not all of these careers have positive job growth, most are at least around the national average of 11% (for all careers in the U.S. between 2012 and 2022). A few careers are expected to have significant job growth. This is not a comprehensive list of career opportunities in the broader public relations field, but should give you an idea of some of the scope. Additional career opportunities are mentioned in the college rankings entries below. Also see the links to BLS OOH pages in the Reference section at the end of this article for Web pages with more information.

As noted above, these careers can be the outcome of various bachelor’s degrees, including Public Relations and related subjects. The following list of Public Relations-related degrees continues our series of “Affordable Schools” for various bachelor’s degree programs. This includes bachelor’s degrees that are either majors in Public Relations, or minors, or in a strongly related area of study.

NOTES:

As accreditation can change or only be valid regionally, please verify accreditation of any college to which you are planning to apply.
See the “Methodology” section of the ranking list article 15 of the Most Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Marketing for an explanation of the process we use to rank colleges in each list.
NCES data is subject to change and some of these “affordable degrees” guides may use more recent data than described in the Methodology.
For the full list of programs covered to date, please check our School Rankings page.

15: Western Kentucky University

Cherry Hall, Western Kentucky University (source)

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a public university established in 1906 as the Western Kentucky State Normal School. WKU’s main campus is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, about 110 miles southwest of Louisville, KY, and some 65 miles northeast of Nashville, Tennessee.

WKU offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Relations (PR). This BA provides students with the creative/ strategic thinking, management, networking, planning, research, and writing skills needed to become PR professionals. This means a career crafting, clarifying, and conveying a client/ employer’s message, intention, and news to various target audiences (a PR professional’s employers or audiences can interchangeably be agencies, businesses, communities, consumers, employees, governments, media sources, opinion leaders, or regulatory agencies). To graduate, students must complete 120 credit-hours (approx. 40 courses), with at least 21 for a minor (or a second major). The PR major itself requires 45-46 hours, with 6-7 for electives (incl. an internship/ practicum option). The other 39 are for required courses (incl. digital storytelling; international PR; PR fundamentals; PR strategy and planning; and a PR management capstone). See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 44%.
Transfer-out rate: 31%.
In-state tuition: $9,140.
Out-of-state tuition: $23,352.
Yearly average net price: $11,072.
Student population: 20171.
# undergraduates: 17452.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

14: University of Central Arkansas

Harding Plaza and Irby Hall, University of Central Aarkansas (source)

The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public university established in 1907 as the Arkansas State Normal School. UCA is located in Conway, Arkansas, about 160 miles west of Memphis, Tennessee.

UCA offers two Public Relations-related Bachelor’s programs — a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Relations (PR). Both prepare students for a variety of careers, including in community relations, corporate communications, lobbying, political campaigns, public opinion research, or university communications. Both require 120 credit-hours (approx. 40 courses), with a minimum of 18 for a selected minor. The PR major accounts for 39 hours, with 3 for Communication or PR electives (incl. an internship option) and 18 for core courses (incl. argumentation and advocacy; communication research; and media law and ethics). The other 18 of 39 are for application courses (incl. PR management; PR techniques; PR writing; and a PR cases and campaigns capstone). The primary difference between the two degrees is the BA’s foreign language requirements vs. the BS’s math/ science requirements. Finally, students in other majors can study PR through UCA’s 21-hour minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 45%.
Transfer-out rate: 18%.
In-state tuition: $7,889.
Out-of-state tuition: $13,806.
Yearly average net price: $11,051.
Student population: 11698.
# undergraduates: 9842.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A.

13: Columbia College (Missouri)

Downtown Columbia, MO (source)

Columbia College is a private college established in 1851 and is located in Columbia, Missouri, about 125 miles roughly east of Kansas City, MO. It is one of nearly three dozen campuses throughout the U.S., which include military bases. It has an affiliation with the Disciples of Christ, though it is nonsectarian.

Columbia offers two Public Relations (PR) related Bachelor’s programs — a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration, both with the option of a major in Public Relations and Advertising (PRA). Both prepare students to become PR professionals, who utilize multiple media channels to promote, convey, and clarify the image and message of associations, businesses, charities, governments, hospitals, individuals, politicians, or sports teams. Both require 120 semester-hours (approx. 40 courses), with about 51 for Business Admin core courses (incl. a strategic management capstone). The PRA major requires 30 hours, with 6 for PR-related Business Admin courses, and 24 for the selection of an Advertising or PR track. (The PR track includes such course options as advanced editing; crisis management; PR writing; social media; and an internship). The primary difference between the two degrees is the BA’s foreign language requirement vs. the BS’s additional electives. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 38%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $7,465.
Out-of-state tuition: $7,465.
Yearly average net price: $11,031.
Student population: 16567.
# undergraduates: 15639.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A.

12: Montana State University-Billings

Montana State University-Billings, aerial view (source)

Montana State University-Billings (MSUB) is a public university established in 1927 as the Eastern Montana State Normal School. It is part of the Montana State University System and its main campuses/ centers are in Billings, Montana, some 560 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado.

MSUB offers one main Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Relations (PR) — and several secondary options. The BS prepares students to take on the role of a PR professional, providing internal, public, and/ or strategic communication functions within associations, businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, governments, or healthcare entities. The BS, which can be completed online, requires 120 credits (approx. 40 courses). Of these, 49 are for PR core courses and electives (incl. such options as health communication; media for social change; persuasion; PR case studies; PR ethics; video production; and a senior-year capstone). Finally, MSUB’s online studies offers a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies that both feature four PR-related thematic concentration options: Management and PR, Mass Communication and PR, Organizational Communication and PR, and Health Administration and PR. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 24%.
Transfer-out rate: 26%.
In-state tuition: $5,780.
Out-of-state tuition: $17,466.
Yearly average net price: $10,881.
Student population: 4768.
# undergraduates: 4340.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A.

11: Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University administration building (source)

Northwest Missouri State University (NMSU) is a public university established in 1905 and located in Maryville, Missouri, about 115 miles south and east of Omaha, Nebraska. It started as Fifth District Normal School, a teachers college. The current name took effect in 1972.

NMSU offers two Public Relations-related Bachelor’s programs — a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations (PR). Both follow a similar curriculum and prepare students for careers as customer/ member relations managers, lobbyists, media analysts, military spokespersons, press agents, or social media marketers with advertising/ PR agencies, broadcast/ media companies, governments, hospitals, or trade associations. Both degrees require 124 credit-hours (approx. 42 courses). Of these, 54-60 hours are for the major, with 36 for required courses (incl. intercultural communication; PR techniques; propaganda and persuasion; a senior-year capstone; and a senior-year internship). The remaining 18-24 are for cognate course options and area of emphasis course options (incl. communication; marketing; and media/ multimedia). Finally, NMSU offers a 24-hour minor in Communication with a 9-hour PR emphasis for students in other majors. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 50%.
Transfer-out rate: 33%.
In-state tuition: $6,525.
Out-of-state tuition: $11,526.
Yearly average net price: $10,825.
Student population: 6720.
# undergraduates: 5491.
Campus setting: Town: Remote.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

10: University of Texas at San Antonio

University Center, University of Texas at San Antonio (source)

University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public research university established in 1969. UTSA is part of the University of Texas System and its main and secondary campuses are located in San Antonio, Texas, about 80 miles southwest of Austin, TX, and some 210 miles west of Houston, TX.

UTSA offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication with a Public Relations (PR) concentration. The BA prepares students to become community liaisons, employee communication managers, information specialists, investor relations managers, PR directors, or publicists for charities, civic groups, communities, corporations, governments, or PR firms. Students must complete 120 credit-hours (approx. 40 courses), with 24 for degree requirements (incl. courses in language and communication theory; intercultural or international communication; and technical writing). The PR concentration’s supporting coursework (accounting, economics, and finance) accounts for 9 hours. Another 24 goes toward additional Communication courses and the PR concentration itself (incl. such options as health communication; organizational communication; PR case studies; PR planning and campaigns; a senior-year capstone; and a senior-year internship). See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 31%.
Transfer-out rate: 35%.
In-state tuition: $7,457.
Out-of-state tuition: $16,507.
Yearly average net price: $10,787.
Student population: 28628.
# undergraduates: 24285.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

9: San Jose State University

Boccardo Gate, San Jose State University (source)

San Jose State University (SJSU) is a public, comprehensive university established in 1857 as Minn’s Evening Normal School. SJSU is part of the California State University system and its main campus is located in San Jose, California, about 50 miles southeast of San Francisco, CA.

SJSU offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Relations (PR). This BS prepares students for careers in employee communication, fundraising, investor relations, lobbying, member relations, public affairs, special or sporting events, speechwriting, or strategic planning for charities, communities, corporations, governments, hospitals, or sports organizations. Students must complete at least 120 units (approx. 42 courses), with 42 units for General Education requirements and 12 for an academic focus from outside the department. The major requires 40 units (incl. courses in campaign planning and management; media law and ethics; strategic communication case studies; strategic writing for the organization; a writing workshop; and an internship). To satisfy the program’s international experience requirement, students must participate in a study-abroad program. Finally, students in other majors can study PR via SJSU’s 18-unit minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 52%.
Transfer-out rate: 4%.
In-state tuition: $7,323.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,483.
Yearly average net price: $10,729.
Student population: 32713.
# undergraduates: 26664.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: F.

8: North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A & T State University (source)

North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T) is public research HBCU (Historically Black College/University) established in 1891 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race. Its main campus is in Greensboro, North Carolina, about 80 miles northwest of Raleigh, NC, and some 90 miles northeast of Charlotte, NC.

NCA&T offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Journalism and Mass Communication with a Public Relations (PR) concentration. This BS prepares students to become corporate communications directors, investor relations managers, media relations specialists, public affairs co-ordinators, or sports information directors with agencies, businesses, governments, non-profits, or sports organizations. To graduate, students must complete 125 credit-hours (approx. 47 courses), with 33 for General Education requirements (incl. courses in humanities and fine arts; scientific reasoning; and social and behavioral sciences). The major accounts for about 45 hours of required and elective courses (incl. such options as media management; PR campaigns; social media; a professional development seminar; a sophomore practicum; a senior-year internship; and an exit exam). Finally, students in other majors can study PR via NCA&T’s 18-hour minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 48%.
Transfer-out rate: 13%.
In-state tuition: $5,642.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,402.
Yearly average net price: $10,145.
Student population: 10725.
# undergraduates: 9203.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

7: Missouri Western State University

Buchanan County Courthouse in Downtown St Joseph (source)

Missouri Western State University (MWSU) is a public university established in 1915 as St. Joseph Junior College. Its main campus is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri, about 50 miles north and slightly west of Kansas City, MO, and around 140 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska.

MWSU offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Relations (PR) (PDF, p.3-4). The BS prepares students for administrative, communication, management, or PR roles within businesses, community programs, government agencies, healthcare organizations, or non-profits. The BS requires 124 credit-hours (approx. 43 courses), with 42-46 for the general studies curriculum (incl. courses in humanities; natural sciences; physical health; and social sciences). The major requires 61-62 hours, with 7-8 for applied learning (incl. courses in client management; PR practices; and a senior portfolio). Another 30 goes toward the Communication core (incl. courses in interpersonal communication; non-verbal communication; persuasion; and presentational communication). The remaining 24 are for the PR professional sequence (incl. such course options as crisis PR; health communication; multimedia authoring; PR campaigns; and a senior-year internship). See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 36%.
Transfer-out rate: 27%.
In-state tuition: $6,790.
Out-of-state tuition: $12,420.
Yearly average net price: $10,021.
Student population: 5834.
# undergraduates: 5650.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

6: Weber State University

Weber State University, Miller administration building (source)

Weber State University (WSU) is a public university established in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy. Its main campus is located in Ogden, Utah, about 30 miles roughly north of Salt Lake City, UT, and about 310 miles southeast of Boise, Idaho.

WSU offers two Public Relations (PR) related Bachelor’s programs — a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication with a PR and Advertising (PRA) emphasis. Both prepare students to become bloggers, community relations managers, environmental lobbyists, member relations managers, press secretaries, spokespersons, or social media marketers. Both require 120-124 credit-hours (approx. 41-44 courses), with 24 for the Communication core (incl. a senior-year capstone and a senior-year internship). The PRA emphasis covers 45 hours, with 30 for electives and required courses (incl. such options as advertising; organizational communication; PR and social media; and an advanced PR co-op experience). The other 15 goes to one of five chosen tracks: Copywriting, Healthcare PR, International PR, Marketing, or Visual Communication. The difference between the two degrees lies mainly in the BA’s foreign language requirements vs. the BS’s additional science requirements. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 35%.
Transfer-out rate: 17%.
In-state tuition: $5,184.
Out-of-state tuition: $13,838.
Yearly average net price: $10,005.
Student population: 25954.
# undergraduates: 25316.
Campus setting: City: Small.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

5: Murray State University

Murray State University, Pogue Library (source)

Murray State University (MSU) is a public, comprehensive, residential university established in 1922 as Murray State Normal School. Its main campus is located in Murray, Kentucky, about 120 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee, and some 210 miles southeast of St Louis, Missouri.

MSU offers two Public Relations-related Bachelor’s programs — a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Relations (PR). Both prepare students for such roles as communications director, crisis manager, public affairs specialist, PR manager, social media manager, or speechwriter for businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, governments, healthcare organizations, or non-profits. Both require 120 hours (approx. 40 courses), with a minimum of 38-41 for the University Studies curriculum and 21-24 for a minor (additional electives can be used to complete a second major instead). The PR major accounts for 41 hours (incl. courses in advanced PR; audio/ video production; Internet and web design; mass communication law; newswriting; PR research methods; PR strategies; and an internship option). The differences between the two degrees lies mainly in the BA’s foreign language requirements vs. the BS’s additional math/ science requirements. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 52%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $7,392.
Out-of-state tuition: $20,112.
Yearly average net price: $9,970.
Student population: 11207.
# undergraduates: 9444.
Campus setting: Town: Remote.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

4: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver (source)

Metropolitan State University of Denver (Metro State) is a public comprehensive university established in 1965 as Metropolitan State College. Its main campus is located in Denver, Colorado.

Metro State offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations (PR). This BA prepares students for positions as communication strategists, events/ promotions co-ordinators, media relations managers, publicists, or public affairs specialists for agencies, businesses, governments, or non-profits. To graduate, students must complete 120 credit-hours (approx. 41 courses), including 18 for a required minor and 33 for the general studies curriculum. The major covers another 41 hours, with 6 for program electives and 17 for the Journalism core (incl. courses in journalism techniques and tactics; layout and design; and reporting). The PR concentration makes up the remaining 18 of the major’s 41 hours (incl. courses in PR campaigns; PR strategic planning; PR writing; and an internship). Students in other majors can study PR via Metro State’s 23-hour minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 24%.
Transfer-out rate: 32%.
In-state tuition: $6,070.
Out-of-state tuition: $18,888.
Yearly average net price: $9,145.
Student population: 21674.
# undergraduates: 21196.
Campus setting: City: Large.
Campus housing avail.: No.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: D+.

3: University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Alumni Center (source)

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) is a public research university established in 1898 as the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. UL Lafayette is part of the University of Louisiana System. Its main campus and several key facilities are located in Lafayette, Louisiana, about 140 miles roughly northwest of New Orleans, LA.

UL Lafayette offers two Public Relations-related Bachelor’s programs. Its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Relations (PR) prepares students for such careers as being a fundraiser, events co-ordinator, political strategist, public affairs specialist, speechwriter, or tourism officer. To graduate, 124-127 credit-hours (approx. 43 courses) are required, with 9 for management and marketing courses, and 18 for a minor in another field. The major requires 36-42 hours (incl. courses in communication research; PR writing; public speaking; a PR campaign management capstone; and a senior-year internship). Students seeking careers in sports media and PR, specifically, can consider UL Lafayette’s 120-122 hour Bachelor of Science (BS) in Kinesiology with a Sports Management concentration — it has the option for specialty area electives in Sports Information/Public Relations. Finally, students in other majors can study PR via the university’s 18-hour minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 48%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $6,872.
Out-of-state tuition: $19,272.
Yearly average net price: $8,463.
Student population: 17195.
# undergraduates: 15574.
Campus setting: City: Midsize.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

2: Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University lake (source)

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is a public university established in 1968 as Northern Kentucky State College. NKU’s main campus is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, less than 10 miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio.

NKU offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Relations (PR). The BA prepares students for such roles as account executive, customer or media relations manager, public information co-ordinator, promotions manager, or writer/ editor in advertising or communications agencies, businesses, charities, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, or media outlets. The BA requires 120 credits (approx. 40 courses), with 37 for the General Education curriculum (incl. courses in communication; culture and creativity; global viewpoints; scientific and quantitative inquiry; and self and society). The major requires 42 credits (incl. such course options as advanced public speaking; digital publishing; organizational communication; PR writing; strategies of persuasion; and a PR internship). Electives can be used for a second major, a minor, or an additional area of focus/ study. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 36%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $8,858.
Out-of-state tuition: $17,328.
Yearly average net price: $8,298.
Student population: 15090.
# undergraduates: 12809.
Campus setting: Suburb: Large.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.

1: Mississippi Valley State University

Mississippi Valley State University campus sign (source)

Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is a public HBCU (Historically Black College/University) established in 1950 as Mississippi Vocational College. Its main campus is in Itta Bena, Mississippi, about 100 miles roughly north of Jackson, MS, and some 135 miles south and slightly west of Memphis, Tennessee.

MVSU offers one Public Relations-related Bachelor’s program — its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication (Mass Communication) with an emphasis in Public Relations (PR). This BA prepares students for graduate studies, or careers in advertising agencies, businesses, community organizations, entertainment companies, government agencies, non-profits, or politics — as communication professionals, managers, or strategists. The BA requires 124 semester-hours (approx. 47-48 courses), with 41-42 for General Education requirements. The degree’s foundational curriculum takes up 31 hours (incl. courses in advertising; basic news reporting and writing; mass communication; mass media law and ethics; media writing; a senior research paper and project; and a senior-year internship). The PR emphasis accounts for another 15-18 hours (incl. courses in advanced PR; PR campaigns; and PR research). Students in other majors can study PR via MVSU’s 18-hour minor. See site for additional requirements/ details, or contact the school.

Graduation rate: 30%.
Transfer-out rate: n/a.
In-state tuition: $5,916.
Out-of-state tuition: $5,916.
Yearly average net price: $7,003.
Student population: 2222.
# undergraduates: 1885.
Campus setting: Town: Remote.
Campus housing avail.: Yes.
Areavibes.com cost of living score: A+.